We are lucky to have experienced and dedicated specialists on staff

Kati Wolfe: Placement and Training Director

Kati is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT) through Animal Behavior College. She has a BA in Psychology and a minor in Special Education, focusing on Autism. She is experienced in assessing and restructuring environments to maximize children’s developmental progress; prior positions include working for the State of Oregon providing training and in-home support for families with special needs. Her training and experience in positive behavior support and her ABA training makes Kati an extremely talented and effective placement and training director for ASDA.

Laurel Oliver-Gilmore: Executive Director

Laurel began working with children with autism spectrum disorders in 2003. She received her Master’s Degree in Special Education, and has since worked in public schools as a special education teacher and autism consultant. She became involved with ASDA in 2008 as a volunteer in the puppy raiser program. Laurel has since increased her involvement with ASDA, and currently provides a variety of supports to the program. Laurel is also certified in Animal Assisted Therapy.

Micaela Kennedy: ASDA Lead Service Dog Trainer

Micaela is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. Micaela started training service dogs in 2009 as a volunteer with ASDA, and realized she wanted to make it her career. She became a professional dog trainer for a local training company and has continued to pursue certification in service dog training. She is thrilled to be a part of ASDA’s training team, and is very passionate about ASDA’s mission and vision.

Brooke Blair: Assistant Service Dog Trainer

Brooke began volunteering for ASDA as a puppy raiser in January 2012. Since that time, she completed ASDA’s Apprenticeship Program, and became an ASDA certified Advanced Trainer. Brooke worked full-time at our Doggie Day Camp this summer, and was hired as our Assistant Trainer in September 2013.

Bradley Carter: Placement Specialist

Bradley began working with children with special needs in 2013. In 2014 he started working at Specialty Athletic training, a company that specializes in one on one athletic training for children and adults with disabilities. In 2015 Bradley graduated from Lewis and Clark College with a BA in Psychology. He then began working as a Functional Skills Trainer for children with autism. He is currently working towards becoming a certified dog trainer and is in training to become a Placement Specialist for ASDA. Brad has owned multiple dogs throughout his life, and has seen the positive impact they have on all people, helping drive his passion to provide this great service to families.